A View From The Back Of The Room: Electric Six (Live Review By Paul)

Electric Six: The Globe, Cardiff

This was a rescheduled gig from December 2017. Detroit’s finest back in Cardiff for their annual masterclass in rock, pop, alt, punk and smooth disco tunes. Yet again it proved to be a fabulous evening. Having missed the opening act we made it in with plenty of time for the Alt-punk of Japanese three piece Mutant Monster (8). These ladies have been around for several years and their fierce yet catchy high tempo 30 minutes was superbly received by a Globe audience who partied like it was a Saturday night. The band comprise Be on guitar and vocals, Meana on bass and vocals and drummer Chad who adds harmonies to the choruses. It was inspired stuff, with punky riffs and thunderous bass lines. Unlikely to be in the UK on a regular basis, it is definitely worth catching these ladies if you get the chance.

We’ve eulogised at length about Electric Six (10) in the past. I’ve seen them many times and they never disappoint. This show stepped it up another level. The last date of a 29 date European tour, you could feel that the band were going to go for broke and they really did. A setlist crammed fuller than a panic buyer’s bag in Lidl, Dick Valentine and the gang kicked off the evening with Rock ‘n’ Roll Evacuation and proceeded to slay. Classics from their 13 albums were interspersed with several new tracks from their wonderful How Dare You release (which is well worth getting hold of). The usual sing-a-long tracks, Gay Bar and Danger! High Voltage! Prompted far too many camera phones in the air but aside from that the crowd contented themselves with hard pogoing, the odd intense mosh, such as when Valentine dived into the audience, and abuse of Red Stripe.

As usual the band were musically incredible, with the guitar work of Johnny Na$hinal and Da Ve integral. Drummer Two Handed Bob maintained the beat whilst the steady bass lines of Rob Lower and keys of Tait Nucleus ensured momentum. Despite ending the main set with the classic combination of Synthesiser and I Buy The Drugs, it wasn’t over and a feverish Dance Commander led into the highlight of the evening as the band swapped places with each other to deliver a cover of  American Alt-rock band The Dean Ween group Show Stopper (from their album released in January this year). Two Handed Bob took care of vocals whilst Valentine led the way with a flawless effort on the drums. Magic stuff. As The Globe emptied into the cold damp night, you could only reflect on why so few Mondays are like this. Selfishly, I really hope that come December, Electric Six are back in the UK for another round of Improper Dancing.